Darren took the service at the spiritualist church this evening, and I must say it was a joy to witness this superb medium at work. After his initial inspirational address (in which he told us he has been doing mediumship for 18 years) the clear and accurate messages flowed from start to finish, pinpointing directly the recipients with names/surnames, addresses and many specific validations included. There was no waffle, guesswork or filling in with 'psychic observations', all communicators were identified appropriately and comprehensively and the messages delivered and received by the specific recipients with great clarity. (This was a non-ticketed, non bookable or payable event, simply a regular service in a spiritualist church, where anyone can just walk in).Darren explained to us that he hears (spirit) from the right, and sees to his left, and watching him it was clear to me exactly when and how he was receiving this information.

In my opinion, Darren Brittain is a naturally spiritual, genuine medium with a deep love and feel for the true nature of what mediumship is really all about. In fact ... yes ... I would actually put him on a par with Gordon Smith.

There are some terrific perks to my job. Each year I'm fortunate to be invited to a wide variety of spiritual events - from demonstrations of mediumship, church services and lectures to scéances, mind, body, spirit fairs and book launches. I enjoy many of those I attend and feel slightly less enthusiastic about others. Rarely, though, do I feel utterly uplifted, inspired and optimistic for the future as a result of what I witness.

Sunday 24th August was an exception. I was in Stourbridge Spiritualist Church attending a service conducted by the medium Darren Brittain. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen him work, but – hardened, cynical journalist though I almost certainly am – I’d never knowingly pass up an opportunity to watch this exceptional medium at work.

Not for him a few hit-and-miss names randomly thrown out in the hope that some obliging soul with a kind heart will accept them. Detail is Darren’s middle name.

Not just a thorough physical description of the father communicating, not just his name, personality traits, occupation, age, manner of passing, favourite food, location of work premises, but the number of the bus in which he travelled to work each day. It blew the recipient’s mind, as did every other message delivered to members of the 120-strong congregation at the service.

Darren’s mediumship didn’t manifest in the kindergarten, unlike some. Now 40, he was 17 when he first entered a Spiritualist church in an attempt to discover what was causing him to see “lights and colours” around people. It had been happening for a few years and he wanted to know why. The medium told him he was psychic, and would soon be doing what she was doing. He wasn’t inclined to believe her . . .

He’s since become the most gifted evidential medium of his generation. How did it happen?

“Shortly after joining the church’s open circle I was invited to sit in a home circle where I sat for about a year, until the leader had health problems and closed the circle,” he explains. “After that I joined a development circle which later ended for the same reason.

“I was in the circles long enough to understand the depth of responsibility that’s involved in presenting mediumship. When people ask ‘Who trained you?’ my answer is always the same – ‘Life and Spirit’. Everything I’ve ever needed to know has been sent, either through a person or an experience.”